The Splendid Sampler ~ "Happy, Happy" & a Circle Appliqué Tutorial

Hello and Happy Thursday.

Today I am sharing my version of Jen Kingswell's block Happy, Happy.

I have been a big fan of Jen's work for some time and it was such fun to make her block.

You can find the pattern [HERE]

I adore this block but I will admit once I printed out the pattern I thought - " my, those are some tiny circles".  The larger circle is nickel sized and the small one is a bit smaller than a dime.

Don't fret - I have a tutorial to make this completely doable!

I personally love a challenge and I put on my "thinking cap" to figure out the best way to appliqué this tiny circles.

I am by no means an expert at appliqué but I have used the technique in a few of my sewing projects with larger circles.

 I used appliqué to create the flower on this Blossom Appliqué handbag.

Applique is the technique I used to create the center on this block from my Vintage Block Sew Along.

OK... Let's Get Started!

CIRCLE APPLIQUE TUTORIAL

Materials:

Card Stock (you can also use copy paper but card stock will give you a crisper, cleaner edge.
and you can easily re-use the template)

Paper scissors

Spray Starch

Q-tip

Hand Sewing Needle

Thread

Fabric Glue Stick

Fabric

Fabric Scissors

1) Print out the pattern onto card stock. Carefully cut out the circle.

2) Apply glue to the back of the circle. Place the circle on the wrong side of the fabric.

***This is a perfect opportunity to fussy cut a motif on your circle*** 

3) Cut around the circle leaving 3/16" - 1/4" seam allowance.

4) Stitch around the circle with a running stitch with the stitches approximately 1/8" apart

5) Pull up the thread, gathering the seam allowance around the circle.  Secure the stitching.

Dip the q-tip in spray starch and apply to the perimeter of the circle on the seam allowance.

Press the seam allowance flat.

6) Remove the stitching and the paper circle, and press again from the back and front.

Now you are ready to appliqué the circle to your Happy, Happy block!

Connecting threads has a good video tutorial for appliqué [HERE].  They use silk thread, but cotton thread works well, too.  I like Aurifil 50 wt thread cotton thread.

Enjoy!

xo

Charise

The Splendid Sampler ~ "Lots Of Love"

Happy Sunday to you!

I am keeping up with all my blocks for The Splendid Sampler Sew Along.

"Lots of Love" is the third block in the series.

  

Making each block has been such a treat.  You can find all the info and patterns [HERE]

The third block in the series is designed by Melissa Corry.  Be sure to head over to her website for some tips on making the block and a special extra project.  It is adorable!

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

The Splendid Sampler ~ "Wings"

Happy Thursday to you!

Today I'm sharing the second block in The Splendid Sampler Sew Along ~ Wings.

This block was designed by Jane Davidson who created The Splendid Sampler Sew Along along with Pat Sloan.  Jane also designed the graphics for all the patterns and they are stunning!

Be sure to head on over to TheSplendidSampler.com for the pattern.

I am a big fan of scrappy quilts and blocks, so this one was incredibly fun to pick fabrics for.

Some of the fabrics are small scraps that I have been saving for some time.

The others are pictured above (Left to Right):

Windham Fabrics "Little Menagerie",  Lakehouse Drygoods Floral, Hello Betty by Chloe's Closet by Moda Fabrics, "Country Girls" by Tasha Noel for Riley Blake, "Simpatico" by Maywood Studios, Flower Bouquet for Lecien, "Fog City Kitty" for Lakehouse Drygoods, "BonBon Bebe" by Robyn Pandolph for RJR fabrics, Lakehouse Favorites Aqua Seed Catalog, Moda Essential Dots Teal on White 

I used Aurifil 12 wt embroidery thread to embroider the butterfly antennae.

This was a fun and easy block to make.  Enjoy!

Happy Sewing 

Charise

The Splendid Sampler "Hearts a Flutter" ~ And an applique tutorial

Happy Valentine's Day to you!  I am so happy to share my version of Pat Sloan's first block for the Splendid Sampler ~ "Hearts a Flutter".  It is a fun block which combines both piecing and appliqué.

Be sure to head over to TheSplendidSampler. com for the link to Pat's lovely block pattern!

I used a prized piece of Suzuko Koseki fabric for the heart.  It was fun to fussy cut the image and I was able to fit most of the word "LOVE" on the heart  : )

Fabrics used in the block are:

Red Floral ~ Flower Bouquet Collection by Lecien

Blue Floral ~ Bon Bon Bebe by Robyn Pandolph for RJR Fabrics

Pink Dot ~  Lakehouse Favorites

I cheated a bit on my appliqué and used Dritz Fusible Bonding Web to create a turned edge instead of needle turning the edge.  It adds a bit more bulk, but is a faster way to get a nice clean edge.

Let's get started!

1) I used Dritz Fusible bonding web for Medium Fabrics.  You can find it HERE

Trace the heart onto the fusible web using a pencil or water soluble pen.

  Place the web on your fabric with the fabric right side up.
***This is a great opportunity to fussy cut the heart.
The web is shear so you can see exactly where the heart will be!***

Pin in place.

2) Trim beyond the marked line 1/4"

3) Stitch on the line back tacking at end.

 Clip around the curve. Clip into the top inside corner close to the stitching. 

 Clip the bottom point close to the stitching. 

Cut a slit in the fusible bond approximately 1" from the stitching on both ends.

4)  Carefully turn the heart right side out gently pushing out the edge. Finger Press. 

DO NOT PRESS with an IRON.

5) Place the heart on the pieced block and iron in place.  Machine Edge stitch or Hand stitch the heart to the block.

Be sure to tag your blocks with the hashtag TheSplendidSampler if you share on Instagram.

I can't wait to see your blocks!

Happy Sewing

xo

Charise

The Splendid Sampler is just one week away!

The Splendid Sampler starts in exactly one week!

In case you haven't heard, 

Pat Sloan and Jane Davidson came up with the amazing idea to invite 80+ designer to create original blocks for a year long Sew Along!

The block pictured is a free block from Pat to give you a little warm up for the quilt along.  It is a great way to audition some of the fabrics you are planning on using.

The quilt along starts February 14th and you can find all the details [HERE].

There is a Facebook group which is a great way to share fabrics and get to know everyone.

Here is a sneaky peek of my blocks!  I have had such fun making them.

I will be sharing my version of the first block in the quilt along on February 14th including an easy appliqué tutorial.

Happy Sewing!
xo
Charise

The Splendid Sampler Sew Along

Good  Morning peeps!

Today I am thrilled to share a very exciting sew along - The Splendid Sampler.

Pat Sloan and Jane Davidson came up with the amazing idea to invite 80+ designer to create original blocks for a year long Sew Along!

When Pat contacted me back in August to be a part of this wonderful project, of course I said "yes"!  

As a designer, I have access to the patterns before the QAL starts and I have to say they are incredible!

The quilt along starts February 14th and you can find all the details [HERE].

There is a Facebook group which is a great way to share fabrics and get to know everyone.

You will also find an extensive list of sewing tutorials on the blog as well!  From Applique' to English Paper Piecing to Foundation paper piecing!

I've made six blocks so far and can't wait to share my versions of the designs - they are absolutely amazing!

I am going to use my extensive stash for the quilt along focusing on happy Yellow and Red.

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Hope Blooms

Welcome to my stop on the Fat Quarter Shop's Top Ten Videos of 2015.  

Today I'm sharing the Hope Blooms Quilt Block.  

I love log cabin blocks and the video from Fat Quarter Shop ensures your log cabin blocks will be perfectly square!  The video shows how to make the 8 1/2" log cabin using the Creative Grids Log Cabin Trim Ruler.  I seriously love this ruler!

If you want to make the quilt, you can find the pattern HERE.

My favorite part of any new sewing project is picking out the fabric.  I was inspired by this Fat Quarter Shop bloggers bundle from Quilt Jane.  I love the coral pink, turquoise and grey combo.  

I chose to use predominately coral pink and grey for my blocks.  You can see some Paperie by Art Gallery Fabrics and Lakehouse Favorites that I used in the blocks.

I decided to make a pillow with four squares and grey dot sashing from Lakehouse.  I love how it turned out and you can never have too many pretty pillows : ) 
Next project is a full size quilt to match the pillow!

If you’re on Instagram, use the hashtag #hopebloomsquilt to share your Hope Blooms Quilt Project and #FQSTop10 for a chance to win a Fat Quarter Shop $100 Gift Certificate.  
The contest ends January 31, 2016 and the winner will be announced on Instagram February 1, 2016.

Be sure to check out the other lovely blogger projects here:

Shruti of 13 Woodhouse Road

Seema of Hooks, Needles, & Brushes

Sinta of Pink Pin Cushion

Rachel of PS I Quilt

Julie of The Crafty Quilter 

Christopher of The Tattooed Quilter

xo ~ Charise

Welcome Fanny ~ Farmer's Wife 1930s Quilt Along

Happy New Year to you!

Today it is my stop on the Farmer's Wife 1930s Quilt Along hosted by Kerry at VeryKerryBerry.

I have fallen a bit behind in making blocks due to the Holidays and time spent with family and friends. 

And, some Holiday Gift Sewing that was lots of fun.  I'm pleased I made time for it this year!

One of the things I like best about this quilt along is the pace - nice and slow : )

I'm still on track to have enough blocks to make a nice sized quilt at the end of the Sew Along.

This week I am sharing the block "Fanny".  This is another straight forward block to make.

I am using the sewing method ~ Foundation Paper Piecing, which lends itself well to fussy cutting. 

For this block I combined both new and vintage fabrics.

The Pink Floral and White Ground Floral are some "new to me" vintage prints I found at Mary's Funky Finds on Instagram. They work so well with the "Kerchief Girl" print!

Happy Sewing
xo
Charise

***Merry Christmas***

Merry Christmas to you!!!  

It has been a very busy December getting ready for my kids' favorite holiday. 

 I've had so much fun sharing some of my favorite patterns and gifts to make the past few weeks.  

You can find a recap and all the tutorial links [HERE]

Handmade Holidays are the best : )  

I was able to finish up a few more gifts for my family which I will share today.

My mom has been doing some embroidery and I wanted to make her a few useful and cute items to keep her embroidery supplies at hand.  I made the pouch big enough to hold a small embroidery hoop with inside pockets for storing notions and supplies.  The dress on the pouch is from my Vintage Dresses pattern reduced to 6" tall.

The needle book has a paper pieced design with my favorite "Kerchief Girls" print as the focal point.

Two front pleated pockets hold embroidery thread.

My favorite feature is this cute little scissor holder.

My boys both have MP-3 players and are always misplacing them!  I thought it would 

be fun to make a gadget pouch so they could keep their player and earphones in one place.

It was fun to put together a boy colored palette of blues, golds and browns.

Every Christmas my boys get a new stuffed animal in their stocking.  I found these cute Husky dogs but they needed a little something to make them extra special.  I made each a hand knit scarf and think they look extra adorable.

Wishing you Love, Peace and Happiness and a 2016 filled with Joy!

xo

Charise

Handmade Gifts ~ Vintage Kitchen Hot Pads

It is not too late to stitch up some gifts in time for the holidays!  This sweet potholder set is made

with my vintage bowls and vintage apron pattern. 

I used my round potholder tutorial which you can find [HERE]

This pattern is perfect for an orphan quilt block 8" or smaller. 

 I embellished the back pockets with cotton lace and ric rac. 

 It would also be fun with a self fabric ruffle or some whimsical ribbon trim.

Include a pair of color dipped kitchen utensils and you have the perfect gift for you favorite cook!

You can find the Vintage Bowls and Apron Patterns in my Etsy shop [HERE] and my Craftsy shop [HERE]

xo

Charise